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‘General Hospital’s’ Exiting Andrew Hawkes Shares ‘Thank You From the Bottom of My Heart’ to Fans After Cullum’s Death

By Michael Fairman

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Photo: ABC

Andrew Hawkes went out with a bang, literally, when on the Thursday, July 2 episode of General Hospital, his character of WSB Director Ross Cullum’s reign of terror finally came to an end.

What was supposed to be only a short term role, turned out to be a six-month run for Hawkes, who became extremely popular with the fans of the ABC daytime drama series, even though on-screen Cullum perpetrated some of the most nefarious crimes and activities ever seen on the soaps.

Chief among those crimes were: stabbing Marco Rios (Adrian Anchondo) to death multiple times over, attempting to kill Jason Morgan (Steve Burton) on the pier with a mysterious baton he pulled out of his pocket, lying to Britt Westbourne (Kelly Thiebaud) for years and tainting her medication with poison, where we come to find out she doesn’t even really have Huntington’s disease, shooing Cassius Faison (Ryan Paevey) and so much more.

Courtesy/ABC

ANDREW HAWKES PERSONAL MESSAGE

In the end, Agent Josslyn Jacks (Eden McCoy) shot Cullum to his death during an epic shootout, marking the end of the line for Hawkes’ memorable turn on GH. As we head into the 4th of July weekend, Andrew took a moment to address all the fans for their comments and support and how much it it has meant to him with a video he posted on his Instagram.

Hawkes began, “I’ve received so many beautiful, incredible messages of support. I am so incredibly moved that you would take time out of your day to just say, ‘Hey, good job,’ or put a fire emoji (in the comment thread), or just even take a look at something I may have posted. I like to be reminded of the fact that I think that kindness is a superpower and it’s a superpower that we all have access to.”

“You guys have just treated me with so much kindness and I appreciate it so much and I promise you, I will never take it for granted,” a very touched Hawkes explained. “I read all of your messages. I can’t respond to all of them because I have two kids and a wife and my wife would divorce me. probably. So, I just wanted to say thank you from the bottom of my heart. You’ve really picked me up and dusted me off and I appreciate it so much.”

Photo: ABC

REFLECTIONS OF TIME ON GH

Previously, Andrew told Soap Opera Digest how he felt once he wrapped, “It took me a few days to kind of recover and get perspective on what this whole experience meant to me. It’s been one of the greatest experiences of my career. It’s one of the things I’m most proud of and have had the most joy in doing.”

What did you think of Andrew’s heartfelt message of thanking all of you for your support through his run. Will you miss Ross Cullum? Hope GH might cast him in another role down the line? Let us know via the comment section.

 

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I love him so much and hope he comes back someday

He wasn’t treated with respect by the commenters on one particular site, but here and most other soap boards, Andrew got the credit he deserved for playing a modern take on a classic soap villain.

Job well done!

Is Cullum dead? Only the WSB knows for sure. He was a GREAT villain

I believe Andrew Hawkes’ portrayal of Ross Cullum to be this generations version of Faison, despite Cullum having no Achilles heal like Faison had. I can see why the show kept his introduction a secret in storyline as he definitely was a top tier villain. Big kudos to you, Mr. Hawks! Job well done! I also enjoy watching his videos. He seems to be a very nice guy in real life.

Cullum was a bastard.. that means Andrew did his job very well. Enough said.

What a nice message to GH fans! He’s a great actor and made Cullum so interesting and often unpredictable.

Andrew Hawkes was an amazing cast for this role. He was….perfect. He’ll show up again somewhere else…he’s too good not to. But you also have to hand it to GH’s casting director, Mark Teschner. He casts this show so well….what an amazing talent to look into the future of what a character will be, and find the right person for it! Again and again Teschner finds the right people for the roles, which keeps us glued to GH. Amazing work!

Cullum was evil.. An excellent Villain.. Off screen some would not know who he was on GH.. My hat is off to you Andrew. Always love a good villain. You are so the man.

Andrew was amazing. And in several months, I believe, he could totally come back and portray a different character, given something interesting to do. Maybe not a villain this time. I watched his interview on State of Mind, and he has a magnificent smile and sense of humor. His hair was a bit tousled as well, so I don’t think he’d have any difficulty disappearing into a different role.

I will miss that nasty, creepy Cullum, I have to say.

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‘General Hospital’s’ Jonathan Bennett Talks On Where Joe Fitzpatrick is Headed and Soap Opera Shirtless Scenes

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Jonathan Bennett

It had become abundantly clear that roomies Dr. Lucas Jones (Van Hansis) and PCPD detective Joe Fitzpatrick (Jonathan Bennett) seem destined towards a romance on General Hospital.

In fact, to get Lucas all hot and bothered (although he does fully let on), during the Friday, October 16 episode, the good doctor helps Joe pick out something less stuffy to wear to a bar to meet people.

However, the moment is met with Joe taking off his shirt in front of Lucas and doing a quick change from sport coat and button down shirt to a more relaxed casual button down shirt. In fact, the ABC soap opera even called out the moment as their clip of the day (see below).

Lucas and Joe

Courtesy/ABC

MAJOR STORY TEASE FOR JOE

Bennett spoke with OUT in a new feature about what may be on the horizon for the by-the-book Joe and the moral Lucas, and how he learned that once the producers and writers on a soap script in a shirtless scene, if it goes over well, said actor, can expect many more in the months to come!

“I’m so excited for the audience to see where my character goes on General Hospital. It’s going to be monumental and I think people are going to love it,” teased Bennett. “I was shirtless in an episode and so petrified to shoot it,” he added. “I wanted to look my best and feel good. I really worked hard to get my body to a good place and I did it.”

STAYING CAMERA READY

However as Jonathan points out, now he is finding himself half-naked in upcoming scenes as officer Joe! “I think I shot myself in the foot! Now that I did it once and it turned out well, every few weeks I read a script and I’m coming out of the shower, changing my shirt, or in the bathtub,” revealed Jonathan.

So, how does he keep camera ready? “I’m in the gym more, I have a better diet,” pointed out Bennett. “You have to stay healthy if you’re going to be shirtless every few weeks! I’m gay, an only child, and an actor. Of course I love the attention!”

While Bennett’s Port Charles story is going to reveal itself in the coming months, you can also see Jonathan back as the host of The Food Network’s Halloween Wars 16th season which concludes on Sunday, October 25.

Now below. check out the scene in question from Friday’s GH entitled, “Lose the Shirt.”

Weigh-in: What do you think will be “monumental” that Jonathan has teased that viewers will find out about Joe in the coming weeks? Are you feeling the on-screen chemistry between Joe and Lucas? Share your thoughts in the comment section.

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Wil Traval Talks His ‘General Hospital’ Debut and Being Paired with Kelly Thiebaud

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Wil Traval

The Friday, October 16 episode of General Hospital marked the on-screen debut of the mysterious Jude, played by primetime vet and Australian-born Wil Traval.

While not much has been revealed just yet, Traval spoke to TV Insider in his first conversation since joining the iconic ABC soap opera in a new interview out today.

As GH fans witnessed, Jude was introduced in scenes at a bar with Dr. Britt Westbourne (Kelly Thiebaud), and it would seem this may be her new leading man after things went south between Britt and Jason (Steve Burton). Traval said of working with the Daytime Emmy-winning Thiebaud, “I can’t speak more highly of her. I think she’s fantastic. It’s the biggest delight in my life to be working with her.”

Jude and Britt

Courtesy/ABC

FROM BROKEN BACK TO PORT CHARLES

As it turns out, Wil was supposed to be on board for a very short visit to Port Charles. However, as he revealed, things didn’t go the way he planned and his stay got extended!

“Originally, it was going to be a short guest role, I believe, and at the end of the week I got a call saying they might want to offer me a contract on the show, which was a real surprise and delight.” the actors shared.  “And the rest is history from there.”

The road to General Hospital was not an easy one in some other respects. Traval was in the middle of recovering from a car accident that broke his back when he got the call to submit a self-tape for the role of the mysterious stranger back in June. Suddenly, he found himself getting a callback which in turn led to a chemistry read with Kelly Thiebaud.

WHO IS JUDE?

In the week to come, General Hospital viewers will learn Jude’s connections to the residents of Port Charles and his true identity.

With an Australian contingent on the canvas, and its tentacles throughout GH history including: Dr. Tristan Roberts (Dean Geyer); Robert Scorpio (the late Tristan Rogers); and Josslyn’s father Jax (last played by Ingo Rademacher), and Jerry Jacks (last played by Sebastian Roche), one would think Jude HAS to be tied to these characters from down under, or does he?

So, what did you think of Wil Traval’s on-screen debut as Jude? Who do you think he will be revealed to be connected to? Do you think Jude will make a solid leading man for Kelly Thiebaud’s Britt Westbourne in story? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section below.

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‘General Hospital’s’ Josh Swickard Stars in Faith-Based ‘The Space Between Us’ as The Man Who Has an Affair with a Married Woman

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Josh Swickard

While General Hospital’s Harrison Chase’s (Josh Swickard) marriage to Brook Lynn Quartermaine (Amanda Setton) has seemingly come to an end based on trust issues, and his unrelenting believe of the innocence of his ex-wife Willow Cain (Katelyn MacMullen) when she has committed heinous crimes, Josh Swickard is also being featured in another story on another platform in the new faith-based movie, The Space Between Us.

In the streaming feature now on the Angel platform, Swickard is playing Levi Boone, a handsome young solider, who finds himself attracted to a married woman played by Jennifer Taylor. The two have an affair. The movie made it’s debut last week on October 8.

According to the loglines, “The Space Between Us dives deep into modern relationships, following marriages straining under the heavy weight of busyness, unmet expectations, and spiritual disconnection. Described as a story of grace in the mess, the film takes a grounded, deeply relatable look at how even the best intentions can fall apart—and how faith, strong community, and honest vulnerability can bring true healing.”

Josh Swickard

Photo: Angel

In a cast interview, which features Swickard, Taylor and Kristoffer Poloha, the trio discussed their thoughts on betrayal in marriage, and who’s right and who’s wrong and more.

Josh Swickard explains, “The audience can get it from a lot of sides too where we can show it, and if you have crossed that line in your marriage. it doesn’t have to be over. And when two people are willing to work, anything’s possible. Not giving the end away. I’m just saying. It could happen. It could happen. People can end up together.”

Meanwhile, Kristoffer Poloha added, “Like, wait a minute, but this other guy steps in and I think passion takes over. I think what you see is how easy it is to stumble. Whether it’s adultery or whether it’s another type of sin, you can basically burn your house down in many different ways and how quickly it is to light that fire.”

The Space Between Us is from Canyon Productions. The company delivers faiith-based media designed to encourage, inspire, and uplift viewers along their spiritual journeys. By showcasing the genuine struggles and eventual triumphs of relatable characters facing tough real-world challenges, Canyon aims to create projects that point audiences directly toward hope and perseverance.

You can check out the discussion between Josh, Kristoffer snd Jennifer Taylor on what happens with their characters in the film below, followed by the scene where Swickard’s Levi meets Taylor’s Mona  … and her husband!

So, will you be checking out Josh Swickard in The Space Between Us? What do you think about GH’s Chase, portraying the man that ignites passion in a woman who previously had been faithful to her marriage? Let us know via the comment section.

 

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A post shared by Jennifer Taylor (@realjennifertaylor)

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Jonathan Bennett joins the cast of GH as Joe Fitzpatrick. Catch the latest promo! Leave a comment.Leave A Comment

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